Pipeline Safety Act Introduced In Response To Upper Makefield Jet Fuel Leak

UPPER MAKEFIELD — In response to the Sunoco Twin Oaks pipeline leak that contaminated at least six private wells in Upper Makefield earlier this year, Bucks County Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) on Thursday introduced the bipartisan Wojnovich Pipeline Safety Act, comprehensive legislation designed to overhaul pipeline safety, emergency response, and transparency nationwide.

Named for the Wojnovich Family, who first raised the alarm, Fitzpatrick said the bill contains reforms driven directly by the failures exposed during the leak, which was discovered on Jan. 31.

The Act, he said, would deliver "the strongest pipeline safety reforms" in more than a decade and ensure communities nationwide "never face the uncertainty, delay, and lack of transparency that Upper Makefield families experienced."

From the moment the leak was confirmed, Fitzpatrick urged a full shutdown of the pipeline, demanded independent testing and complete remediation, pressed PHMSA, DEP, EPA, and Energy Transfer for answers, and worked closely with the Mt. Eyre Neighborhood Resident Task Force to protect families living with uncertainty about the safety of their water and homes.

According to the Act, the legislation would:

• Modernize aging pipelines through a new federal grant program to replace or upgrade high-risk hazardous liquid lines.
• Expand public transparency by requiring DOT/PHMSA to overhaul the Pipeline Viewer so families can easily access leak, inspection, and remediation data.
• Protect homebuyers with mandatory disclosure of nearby pipelines, their contents, operators, and incident history before any property sale.
• Strengthen emergency response by requiring localized emergency alert systems and updated, enforceable response plans.
• Improve leak detection and water testing with mandatory in-person sampling and enhanced inspection requirements for older or repaired pipelines.
• Create real accountability with new multi-million-dollar penalties for leaks, failures, and delayed reporting.
• Support local first responders by reimbursing fire departments and EMS for equipment, overtime, and cleanup costs.
• Put communities at the center of oversight by establishing an Office of Public Engagement and requiring regular federal reporting.

“Every page of this bill is shaped by what Upper Makefield families lived through — the gaps in testing, the delays in information, the uncertainty about their water, and the absence of clear standards for communication and emergency response," said Fitzpatrick. "Working side by side with the Mt. Eyre Task Force and the affected families made it unmistakably clear where federal law was failing them. The Wojnovich Pipeline Safety Act closes those gaps with the strongest pipeline safety reforms in more than a decade."

He continued, “I refused to accept slow-walking, half-measures, or excuses. From the very first day, we pressed every agency together, demanding action, transparency, and full accountability. This legislation turns that collective effort into permanent protections. And the courage of this community will now strengthen federal law and protect families across the country.”

The bipartisan legislation is co-sponsored by New York Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY), who calls the Wojnovich Pipeline Safety Act "a commonsense, bipartisan step to modernize outdated infrastructure, prevent dangerous leaks, and ensure that emergency responders and the public are informed and protected.

"This bill puts public safety first, increases transparency, and ensures local emergency responders are reimbursed for expenses incurred from the cleanup of a pipeline leak or accident," said Suozzi. "It’s time to make sure our infrastructure meets the demands of the 21st century.”

Kristine Wojnovich, a Mt. Eyre Task Force member and the bill’s namesake, said when they first reported the smell of fuel in their water, they were made to feel like they were imagining it — even as jet fuel was entering their home and their neighbors’ wells.

"Speaking up wasn’t easy, but we refused to stay quiet because we knew something was dangerously wrong. Congressman Fitzpatrick came into our home, saw what we were living through, and stood with our community when not many did,” said Wojnovich. “For our family and our neighbors, this bill means our experience mattered. It means the fear, frustration, and uncertainty we live through will lead to real protections. We appreciate that Congressman Fitzpatrick immediately saw the urgency of this situation to us and our community and has acted on our behalf.”

Why This Legislation Is Needed

Fitzpatrick said the Twin Oaks leak exposed critical failures in pipeline oversight.

• A “slow drip” leak may have gone undetected for 16 months.
• At least six private wells were contaminated with jet fuel.
• Residents received unclear, delayed, or conflicting information.
• Emergency responders incurred unreimbursed costs.
• State and Federal agencies struggled to provide transparent, consistent updates.